How to Understand Body Language

Just certain percentage of our communication involves the spoken words, which includes how the words were spoken, the tone of our voice as well as the intonation and pauses. The other 50 per cent is shown by our non-verbal communication, which is mostly called body language. Word expresses information the same way the body reveals our attitude and feelings. A lot of people do not even know when sending out this signal, talk less of knowing how to read them. It is important that you know what to look out for, this will be of great importance in interpreting peoples meaning accurately, thereby communicating in your best knowledge. These will be of use to you in job interviews, work place discussion and during meetings and presentation.

Posture: You can understand people personality by the way they hold themselves. When someone is looking at you or somebody else straight in the eyes, standing in an upright position firmly, these are sings of confidence and health. Where as a person with a lower shoulder and neck signifies dejection, shyness, illness, and other bad characters.

Body direction: This another important character you should watch out for. In most instances people will face the person they are interested in, paying attention to what they are saying or doing. But when somebody is moving away from you going towards the door or facing somebody else while you try to get their attention, this probably indicate non interest. Also if someone is listening to you and suddenly the change from you, this simply means they wish to be left alone.

Personal space: During conversation, the way people move close to or away from you display the way they feel about you. Moving close to you signifies comfort and confident. Our space is very important to us and so during conversation, we become uncomfortable if someone gets too close.

Eyes: This is what gives the face its expression. When people see what they like the pupil in their eyes dilate and become larger. Alternatively, the pupil will contract if they dislike what they saw. Is true the pupils are small but you can still notice the changes in sizes and shape if you are observant.

Arms and hands : When people fold their arms during conversation it often means a protective position or sign. It could also be translated to mean feeling threatened or in a negative state of mind. When persuading somebody to accept your view on a particular issue, folded arms implies the person is not sure if to accept or not. Also rubbing of hands on the ring on the finger or touching of their bag or watch are all sign defensiveness. If they keep their arms unfolded,, it means they feel confident and non-threatened. Rubbing of hands signifies a positive expectation. If the hand robbing goes faster, it means the person is accepting the discussion with open attitude. If the hand rubbing goes more slower then it means that there is more chance of the person accepting your view.

Handshakes: When someone grips your hand strongly and painfully these are sings that the person wants to dominate you. In the same vein a soft and limp handshake shows that the person feels you are more superior to them. If during handshake someone grip your hand with their other free hand, they trying to portray sincerity to you. This behaviour is common among the politician.

Legs: when people crossed their leg during discussion this is a sign of negative feelings, such as anger, disagreement or shyness. If the upper leg is clamped in place with the hands a very firm position is taken by the person. The possibility of changing their mind is not certain.

Copying other peoples body language: When people agree to your views, they will show the same body language like you. For instance when one person crosses their leg the other will do so too. This a sign of agreement. When they disagree they start showing different body language. Most of the time we copy other peoples body language to appear more confident, win their confidence, minimise negative signals and maximise positive ones.